Piano practice exerciser



Patented Aug. 16, 1927. Y

UNITED STATES 1,638,858 PATENT o'FiFics.

EVA. KELLER, F PASADE A, CALIFORNIA.

PIANO PRACTICE ExERoisER.

.App1ication. filed October 27, 1925. Serial No. 65,118.

hand, wrist and arm, such appliances being adapted to facilitate astudent learning the proper motion and control for the arm,

' wrist, hand and fingers.

one of the difliculties in learningto play the piano is to acquire whatis designated as the'free and loose elbow by which the player I learnsto maintain the elbow in a free or flexible condition without any rigidclamping. Also the wrist motion must be free to allow easy bending upand down andsideways. The knuckles mustalso be held in the properposition in order to have the lingers engage the keys in the approvedmanner to give the best touch when playing the piano.

To accomplish these ends I utilize a series of appliances which maybeutilized all at the same time or separately according tot-he particularexercises being practiced or particular parts of musical compositions fowhich the student is endeavoring to acquire the proper technique. i p

These appliances are in theform of weights some of which are rigidlyclamped in relation the hand, arm or wrist, others of which have aswinging or oscillating motion. u

To acquire the proper position for. the

knuckles I secure a weight to the back of the hand over theknuckles-this weight being graduated so that more pressure s brought tobear on the knuckles of the first and secondfingers than onthe knucklesof the 7 below the wrist so that the swinging oft-he weight will teachthe" pupil thev free'i and ii. ible wrist motion. I

To teach the flexibleor looseelbow motion I-secure a band over theforearm at approx imately the position of the elbow and suspendthe'weightat'the lower end of the band. This weight preferable has a rollingball to give a sound indication of the proper rhythmic oscillation ofthe weight] I. also provide an arm piece attached to the 'wrist and tothe forearm adjacent the elbow;

Thisarm piece comprises a tube suspended below the forearm and having acertain ount of mercury contained therein so that the mercury can shiftin position in accordance With the raising and loweringr of the wristrelative to the elbow. I also provide anacljustable and slidable weighton the ea:- terior of the tube to load the arm at'any particularposition.

Myinvention in its various aspects will be 1018 readily understood fromthe following description and drawings, inwhich;

. ..re 1-is a plan view of the assembled appliances in the position theywould occupy I when all are utilized at the same time.

2 is a side elevation of Fi 1 in the direction of the arrow 2. I

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line (F-3 of Fig. 1 or 2,illustrating the construction of'the hand weight.

. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4.-i of F. 2. in the direction ofthe arrow, illustrating the oscillating weight of the elbow piece,showing the rolling ball mounted therein. V i I Fig. ,5 is a verticaltransverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. looking in the directionof the arrows, showing the wrist piece with the oscillating weight.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6 6,

indicating the attachment or. the arm piece to the wrist. a

Fig. 7 is d agrammatic illustration of my exerciser and stabilizerattachedto the forearm, wrist and hand when all are being used. at thesame time.

Fig.8 'is a detail of a glove-like device with weights on the fingerportions at about the position of the second joint. I

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the hand weight is designatedby the numeral 1, beingfconnecced to a wristband 2. adapted to retainthe weight in the proper position in relation to the wrist.- The armpiece 3 is securedto'the wrist band at its outer end and the inner endis secured to a forearm band's adapted to be positioned'on the armslightly forward of the elbow." The oscil lating'weight elbow piece 5 isconnected to the forearm band t tomaintainit in proper position and theweighted wrist piece disuse cured to the wrist band to hold it inadjusted position and is shown as of a resilient construction.

The use of these various elements in, assembly will be apparent aftertheir individual construction and purpose is understood.

The hand weight 1 is illustrated particu larly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 andcomprisesa body of considerable weight, being preferably made of lead.This body is thicker over the insideportion 11 which is intended to besubstantially over the knuckles of the first and second finger, than theouter portion 12 which is adapted to fit over the knuckles of the littlefinger and the third finger, as it is usually more difiicult for thepianist to maintain the knuckles of the firstand second fingets inproper relation to the'knnckles of hand on the inner side of theknuckles.

the third and little fingers.

A resilient springclip 13, preferably formed of spring steel is engagedto the body 10 preferably by casting the end 14 into the lead and theinner end 15 of the clip is intended to press upwardly in the-palm of ltliie 1e outer side of the weight has a flexible metal strip 16 whichpreferably has one end 17 cast in the body of the lead. This strip isintended to be bendable and of'such character that it will retain thecurvature to which it is bent. Some brass alloys or soft iron aresuitable for this purpose. A flexible strap 18 is connected by a rivetor the like to the free end 19 of the strip 16 and another strap 20 issecured to the end 15 of the spring clip 13. These two straps areadjustably connected by a series of dome fasteners 21. If desired thesestraps may be formed of elastic material to allow stretching andresiliency in playing the piano.

A pair ofpreferably metal back bands 22 I and 23 are secured to the bodyof the weight, preferably by casting in the lead and their free ends areconnected to the wrist band 2.

r This connection is preferably by a dome fastener 24 on .the wristband, being adapted to engage one of a series of apertures 25 on theback hands. This allows a certain adjustment to accommodate the positionof the weight to hands of different lengths.

A plurality of dome fasteners 26 are formed on the wrist band so thatthis band may be fitted to differentsize wrists or made loose or tight.I 7

As above mentioned the weight 10 is heavier over the knuckles of thefirst and second fingers than over those of the third and little finger,as most piano pupils elevate their first and second knuckles too highinreference to the knuckles of the third and little fingers. Moreover,the weight teaches the pupil the proper pressure to bring on the keysfrom the ends. of the fingers and enables them to acquire a firm butlight touch of the keyboard. I

The arm piece 3, which is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 6comprises a wrist band 2 which has a depending web 27 secured to thewrist band by dome fasteners 27' formed with an eye 28 therein. Theforearm band 4 has a series of dome fasteners 29 allowing it to befitted to arms of different sizes to bind tightly thereon, and a web 30depends from the lower end of the band, being secured by dome fasteners30', having an eye 31 at the lower end of the web. These webs and eyesare referably'made of fabric webbing, althougi they may he made ofelastic material orleather as may also the wrist and the forearm bands.I

The arm piece proper.designated by the numeral 3, comprises a tube32adapted to fit in the eyes 28 and 31 forming a snug fit and beingretained by friction. This tube is closed at one end 33 and at the otherend has a closure cap 34 indicated as being screw threaded in the end ofthe tube. A certain amount of mercury 35 is placed in the tube beforethe cap is closed, but not sufficient to fill the tube as it is myintention that the mercury will flow freely from one end of the tube tothe other or backwards and forwards in accordance with the relativeelevation of the wrist and the elbow.

An adjustable weight 36 is mounted on the outside of the tube and bymeans of a small set screw 37 may be clamped in any desired position,thus giving a heavy stationary weight adjacent the elbow or the wrist orat any intermediate point. If it is desired in certain practicing toemphasize the shifting weight, a greater or a less quantity of mercurymay be placed in the tube and the set screw 36 may be loosened so thatthe weight 36 will freely slide on the outside of the tube.

' The elbow piece 5 is shown in particular in Figs. 1 2 and 4 andcomprises a band 38 preferably of metal adapted to fit freely over theforearm adjacent the elbow. This band is kept in proper relation to theelbow by a strap 39 rigidly secured to the forearm band, this latterhaving a metal plate 40 and the strap being connected thereto by aseries of dome fasteners 41. The band 38 is gun also adjustably securedto the strap 39 by and is preferably connected to the capby a screwthreaded connection '49. .A tray 50 is inserted in the shell 48 andpreferably has a pressed fit so that it may be readily inserted andremoved.

A ball 51is adapted to roll on the floor 5:2 of the tray and to strikeagainst the ends 53. An adjustable filling 54 is dlaeed in the shellpreferably by pouring molten lead therein in the desired quantity togive the weight required. This lead may then be added to or cut out asdesired.

The manner of using the elbow piece is ibstantially as follows:

The elbow piece'is mounted in the manner above des tices exercises onthe piano at the same time g the arm slightly until the weight in theproperrhythm, the clicking of the ball indicates the proper rhythm.Moreover, the fact of the weight swinging forces the student to have afree and loose elbow motion.

The weighted wrist piece 6 is constructed substantiallyas follows beingshown particularly in Figs. 1 2 and 5: p

A flexible wrist stripe!) has an inwardly curved end 56 adapted by itsown resiliency to press inwardly against the wrist, the portion 57resting on the upper part of the wrist. A depending section 58 is bowedoutwardly a sutl icient distance to clear the tube 82 and has a stem end59 with a series of apertures 60 tht-zrethrough whereby a ball 61 havinga hole 62 therethrough may be attachedto the stem by a cotter pin 63 orsimilar fastening. The wrist metal strip is secured to the wristband bymeans of a str'p 64, the latter being secured to the wrist band 2 by aseries of doine fastening's 65 and preferablyhaving a d lme fasteningengaging in one of a of perforations 67, in the metal strip owing adjutnient of the weight and the F"; in various position longitudinally andilarly of the wrist. It is to be understood that the piano stu dent wi lhave a setof my piano practice exerciser and stabil A01 of a size tosuitthe arms and hand of 'the'student The hand 3. may be adjusted to fitdifferent oy filing some of the lead off or haminching to theproper-shape. The various other elements of the whole device may-also beadjusted to different size hands, wrists and, arms. tended to be fullycomplete so that if necessary the various appliances may be adjustedsuit different students whereby the same set may be utilized by a largenumber of pupils.

It its-apparent that when specific exercises are being undertaken thatthe different elements above described can be used separately. Forinstance the hand weight may be used' without any of the otherappliances bydisconnecting the web 27 'andthus the rib-ed and when thestrident prac- The adjustable features are in a weight depending belowthe 'wrist.

complete arm piece. Also the arm piece may be/utilized by itself bydisconnecting the hand weight and by disconnecting the elbow and wristpieces. Also if desired the elbow piece can be utilized alone either bylooselysi g it over the arm or by having the upper portion secured tothe upper arm band 1.; the web '30 being disconnectible from the b nd.The wrist piece. 6 may also be utilized separately by passing the metalstrip 55 over the wrist with or without atinching this to the wrist band2. i

It will thus be seen that the various elements of my exerciser andstabilizer may be used together or separately and tl when utilizedtogether they will have their *ciiic functions all tending to developcertam features of control in the technique of piano playing.

It is obvious that the different elements eniibedied in iny'inventionmay be changed considerab y in their general. construction and specificdetails and that the assemblage of these may also be altered to suitdifferent reguirenients in learning and maintaining the piano technique.These changes may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

The finger weighting device is indicated generally by the numeral and isillustrated in part in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 8. This comprises a 'glovelike structure 71. having the finger portions cut olf at about thesecond joint as indicated'by the numeral 72and having straps 73 withdome fasteners 74 to engage with fasteners 75 011 the hand weight 1. Theglove is preferably made of woven material and has stitched therein aseries of weights 76, these being positioned as close to the secondjoint of the finger as convenient. The thumb portion 77 is connected tothe glove-like structure by a webbing 78. This device places weightswhich may 'changed to suit difierent pupils on the fingers andmaterially aids the exercising of the fingers, giving them increasedstrength as well as teaching the p oper pres sure to bear on thekeyboard. V

'Havingdeseribed my inve-ntj'm, what I claim is;

1. A piano practice exerciser comprising in combination ahand weight tobe at iached to the back of a persons handyan' arrn piece having meansto" secure same to: a persons forearm, an elbow oscillating weightsuspended from the :lorearm', adjacent theelbow and a weighted'wris-tpiece adapted to engage the wrist, having a resilient strip "ith 2. Apiano practice'exerciser as claimed in claim 1, having wristbandoperatively conllfi nested tothe hand Weiglit,n1canst0 support the-annpiece at one end froin the wrist band, f r arm a d to rredhe other endof the arm piece, a connecting strap between the forearm band and theelbow oscillating wei ht and a strap connected to the wrist bancI andthe wrist piece.

3. A iano practice exerciser comprising in combination a hand weight torest on the back of a persons hand over the knuckles, means passingunder the palm of the hand from the weight, a wrist band clamped aroundthe wrist, back bands connecting the weight to the wrist band, a forearmband, eyes depending from the wrist band and from the forearm band, atubular arm piece supported in said eyes and having a movable weighttherein, .an elbow oscillating weight having a band fitting loosely overthe forearm with a weight depending therefrom, means to connect theforearm band and the band of the elbow weight, a wrist piece having aflexible stiiD with a weight at the lower end, the strip being adaptedto engage a persons wrist and means to connect the strip over the wristpiece to the wrist band.

4. A piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 3, in which the elbowoscillating weight has amovable element therein to cause a sound on theoscillation of the weight.

5. In a piano practice exerciser, a hand weight comprising a structurehaving a bod extending across the back of a persons han the structurebeing of lesser dimensions lengthwise of the hand than crosswisethereof, having an underneath shape adapted to conform somewhat tothebaek of a persons hand at the knuckles, and means passing under thepalm of the hand to attach the weight to the hand.

6. In a piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 5, in which theweight is of greater thickness at the part to fit over the knuckles ofthe first and second finger than that to fit over the fourth finger, andhaving a sprin clip connected to one end of the ody, sai clip being bentto engage underneath the palm of the hand, the clip forming part of themeans passing under the palm of the hand to attach the weight to thehand.

7. In a piano practice exerciser, a hand weight having a body structureextending across the back of the hand, of greater dimensions across thehand than lengthwise thereof, the body structure being thicker at thepart to fit adjacent the knuckles of the first and second fingers thanat the part to fit adjacent the knuckle of the fourth finger, the bodystructure being shaped to fit the back of the hand adjacent theknuckles, a spring clip secured to one end of the body and bent toengagethe inside of the palm of the hand, and a flexible strip secured to theother end' of the body adapted to engage over the other side of thehandand partly under the palm.

8. In a piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 7, having inaddition a wrist band to engage a persons wrist and back bandsconnecting the body of the weight to the wrist band.

9. In a piano practice exerciser, an arm piece comprising in combinationa wrist band and a. forearm band, to be secured to the wrist andforearm, a tubular member secured to the said bands and a movable weightin said tubular member.

10. In a piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 9, in which thewrist bands we provided with webs, said webs having eycs'formingsupporting elements for the tube.

11. In a piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 9, having inaddition a slidable weight mounted on the outside of the tube. V a

12. In a iano practice exerciser, an elbow oscillatmg weight comprisinga band to extend over a persons forearm, a weight secured to the end ofthe band and means in the weight to cause a sound on oscillation of theband.

13. In a piano practice exerciser, an elbow oscillatlng wei htcomprising a band of stiff material to t over a persons forearm. aweight attached to the lower end of the band, a ball mounted in theweight, a runway in the weight for the ball, said ball causing a soundon the oscillation of the weight.

14. In a piano practice exerciser as claimed in claim 13, in which theweight is adjustably mounted on the band.

15. In a piano ractice exerciser as claimed in claim 13, in which therunway is removable to allow the addition or removal of material to addor decrease the amount of the weight.

16. In a piano practice exerciser, a wrist piece comprising a resilientstrip, said strip a wrist piece having a weight, an arm piece suspendedfrom the wrist and the forearm weight to the wrist band, the arm pieceto the wrist and the forearm bands, the elbow weight to the forearm bandand thewrist piece to the wrist band.

19. A piano practice exerciser comprising in combination a fingerweighting device havin partial love fingers with weights attache I tosai finger elements, a hand band, and means to detachably secure theWeight, means to attach the finger Weighting device to the hand Weight,an arm piece operatively connected to the hand Weight and an oscillatingWeight elbow piece operativeiy connected to the arm piece.

20. In a piano practice exerciser, a finger Weighting device having aglove-like struc ture with the ends of the fingers removed,

to fit over part of the fingers weights in the ends of the fingerportions and straps 10 to secure the glove-like structure to a device tofit around a persons hand.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EVA KELLER.

